Sew Crafty Friday for May 30

It's been awhile since I posted anything for Sew Crafty Friday. Life has been so busy that I really have done very little crafting in months. But lately I have been finding a few minutes in the evenings to work on my Country Baking cross-stitch sampler. As you can see, I have a good bit of the back-stitching done. Just a few more items to outline in the lower right area, then I have some words to stitch in that book-like area left of center.


How about you? If you have managed to accomplish or even start any crafting this week, then head on over to Waiting for Him and share your projects. Shereen and others will be eager to see what you have to share.

Happy Crafting!

Show & Tell Friday for May 30

Okay, after months of being away it looks as if I will be able to take part in Show & Tell Friday today. What more appropriate item to show you all than part of the reason I haven't been here for awhile -- this year's summer devotional book. For those who don't know, I write a devotional book each year for our church's children's ministry to use through the summer. I do make them available to other churches who are interested in using them. It seems that most children's ministries are geared to the school year only, yet many churches either continue their ministries year round or like to provide materials for the kids to use through the summer. So here it is --Pine Cone Lodge! That's the title of this year's book, which has an Adirondack lodge/outdoor theme. I am so happy to have it finished!


I thought I would also share pictures of some of the other recent books I have done. Here is a photo of Living Waters Ranch (2006) and Riding a Mountain Railway (2007).


And here is a photo of Camp Evergreen (summer camp theme) and In Green Pastures (Irish/sheep theme). As you see, each year's book has a theme, which is enjoyable for kids (and makes the books easier to plan and write). I could theoretically start over with some of my earlier themes by now -- there were three earlier books, one with a prayer theme and two with an almanac theme (what happened on this day in history, etc). The problem is that I keep thinking of new and (to me, anyway) fascinating themes. So only the Lord knows how long I will continue doing this!



To see what others have shared for Show & Tell this week, go visit visit There is No Place Like Home
and check out the links. It’s so much fun to see what others have to share!

Quote for the day

Be like the pine on the hill-top,
Alone in the wind for God.

There is a curious comfort in remembering that the Father depends upon His child not to give way. It is inspiring to be trusted with a hard thing. You never asked for summer breezes to blow upon your tree. It is enough to know that you are not alone upon the hill."

"And let the storm that does Thy work
Deal with me as it may."

(from Springs in the Valley)

Ground Beef Stew

Arlene asked for this recipe some time ago, and I didn't share the recipe at the time because I hadn't made the stew yet. Then I did make it, and didn't really think it was that great. But I thought maybe it could be. The recipe as printed called for tomato soup and Italian tomato paste, but I thought it would be much tastier substituting mushroom soup (or equivalent) for the tomato soup, and beef gravy (either homemade or canned) for the tomato paste. It was quite some time before I got around to trying the recipe this way, but I finally did and it is delicious! Much better than the original. Each time I've prepared it this way, Mr. T comments on how delicious it is. So Arlene, I am very sorry to have taken so long to post this recipe for you, but this is the new, improved version, and I hope you enjoy it!


GROUND BEEF STEW
1 pound ground beef
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
16 ounces baby carrots
3 cups water
2 Tbslp. dry onion soup mix
1/2 tsp. minced garlic (or 1 garlic clove, minced)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted (or equivalent)
1 can beef gravy (or equivalent)

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. In a slow cooker, combine the next nine ingredients; stir in the beef. Cover and cook on High for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in soup and gravy; cover and cook 1 hour more or until heated through.

Yield: 12 servings.

For His Name's Sake...

This morning in my Bible reading time, I read through several Psalms -- 103-106. I was struck by some verses in Psalm 106 which spoke of the crossing of the Red Sea: "Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy." (Psalm 106:8-10)

It occurred to me that for believers going through trials today (and, since trials are a normal part of life, if you aren't going through one now, just wait -- you will be), God is also leading us through the depths. What a blessing that thought is! I wanted to read a little more about these verses. As always, when I want more insight into Psalms, I turned to Spurgeon's Treasury of David. Not only is this Spurgeon's commentary on the Psalms, it is also a treasury of insights from other writers of Spurgeon's day and previously. As I read about Psalm 106, I came across an absolutely wonderful paragraph concerning what God will do for His name's sake. This was written by a man named Ralph Erskine, who lived from 1685 to 1752. I wanted to share this because it was such a blessing to me that I am sure God will use it to encourage others, as well. Here's what Ralph Erskine wrote:

"[God] hath a name suiting every want, every need. Do you need wonders to be wrought for you? His name is Wonderful; look to Him so to do, for His name's sake. Do you need counsel and direction? His name is the Counsellor; cast yourself on Him and His name for this. Have you mighty enemies to debate with? His name is the Mighty God; seek that He may exert His power for His name's sake. Do you need His fatherly pity? His name is the everlasting Father; 'As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.' Plead His pity, for His name's sake. Do you need peace external, internal, or eternal? His name is the Prince of Peace; seek, for His name's sake, that He may create peace. O sirs, His name is JEHOVAH-ROPHI, the Lord, the healer and physician; seek, for His name's sake, that He may heal all your diseases. Do you need pardon? His name is JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness; seek, for His name's sake, that He may be merciful to your unrighteousness. Do you need defense and protection? His name is JEHOVAH-NISSI, the Lord your banner; seek, for His name's sake, that His banner of love and grace may be spread over you. Do you need provision in extreme want? His name is JEHOVAH-JIREH, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen, the Lord will provide. Do you need His presence? His name is JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, the Lord is there; IMMANUEL, God with us; look to HIm to be with you, for His name's sake. Do you need audience of prayer? His name is the Hearer of Prayer. Do you need strength? His name is the Strength of Israel. Do you need shelter? His name is the City of Refuge. Have you nothing and need all? His name is All in all. Sit down and devise names to your wants and needs, and you will find He hath a name suitable thereunto; for your supply, He hath wisdom to guide you; and power to keep you; mercy to pity you; truth to shield you; holiness to sanctify you; righteousness to justify you; grace to adorn you; and glory to crown you. Trust in His name, who saves for His name's sake."

I hope that these wonderful thoughts will encourage someone else as they did me!

Menu Plan Monday for May 26

Another Monday... a gorgeous sunny day for Memorial Day. As usual, I've included some repeat meals which ended up not being used last week. Here's my menu plan:

MONDAY: Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Vidalia Onion Blossoms

TUESDAY: Greek Spinach Pie, 3-Bean Salad

WEDNESDAY: Open-Faced Tuna Loaf, Pasta Salad

THURSDAY: Fish Fillets with Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes, Carrot Salad

FRIDAY: Avocado Omelet, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit Salad

SATURDAY: Southwest Spaghetti Pie, Salad, Italian Bread

SUNDAY: (potluck at church) White Chicken Chili, Cornbread, Dessert (undecided on as yet)

If you would like to see menus which others have shared, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie and check out the links. Usually close to 200 people share links to their weekly menus. You'll find some great ideas and often recipes too.

Encouragement from Psalm 147

"Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
"The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
"He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
"Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite."
(Psalm 147:1-5)

These verses in Psalm 147 have encouraged me many times, especially verses 3 and 4. Here is what William MacDonald wrote about the five verses I have quoted:

"He is the God of restoration. Here He is praised for rebuilding Jerusalem and regathering Israel's [exiles] from their captivity. The fact that a nation or individual has failed does not mean that God is finished with them. In His gracious ministry of restoring, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. And since He numbers the stars and calls each of them ... by name, it must follow that He numbers His people and knows each one individually and intimately.

"The way in which the tender compassion of the Lord is placed beside His infinite knowledge in verses 3 and 4 caused Archibald G. Brown to exclaim,

"O Holy Spirit, with lowly reverence we venture yet to say that never hast Thou collected and put side by side two more exquisite statements than these: 'He healeth the broken in heart, and knoweth the number of the stars."

M.P. Ferguson wrote:

"With His healing hand on a broken heart,
And the other on a star,
Our wonderful God views the miles apart,
And they seem not very far.

There is hope and help for our sighs and tears,
For the wound that stings and smarts;
Our God is at home with the rolling spheres,
And at home with broken hearts."

Menu Plan Monday for May 19

Another Monday... cool and very breezy, with the prospect of rain. I've included a crockpot soup for this chilly day! Have also included some repeat meals which ended up not being used last week. Here's my menu plan:

MONDAY: Italian Wedding Soup, Italian Bread

TUESDAY: Spinach Feta Strata. 3-Bean Salad

WEDNESDAY: Open-Faced Tuna Loaf, Pasta Salad

THURSDAY: Vegetable Lasagna, Italian Bread

FRIDAY: Avocado Omelet, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit Salad

SATURDAY: Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Vidalia Onion Blossoms

SUNDAY: White Chicken Chili, Cornbread

If you would like to see menus which others have shared, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie and check out the links. Usually close to 200 people share links to their weekly menus. You'll find some great ideas and often recipes too.

Menu Plan Monday for May 12

Another Monday... a nice, mostly sunny day today, but very breezy. Here's my menu plan:

MONDAY: Chicken Athenos, Noodles, Green Beans

TUESDAY: Avocado Omelet, Breakfast Potatoes, Fruit Salad

WEDNESDAY: Open-Faced Tuna Loaf, Pasta Salad

THURSDAY: Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Carrot Salad

FRIDAY: Spinach Feta Strata. 3-Bean Salad

SATURDAY: Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Vidalia Onion Blossoms

SUNDAY: White Chicken Chili, Cornbread

If you would like to see menus which others have shared, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie and check out the links. Usually close to 200 people share links to their weekly menus. You'll find some great ideas and often recipes too.

Menu Plan Monday for May 5

Another Monday... a gorgeous, sunny day today. As usual, my plan for this week includes some repeat meals that didn't get used last week.

MONDAY: White Bean Tuna Salad, Cornbread

TUESDAY: Spinach Feta Strata. 3-Bean Salad

WEDNESDAY: Tuna Melts, Pasta Salad

THURSDAY: Treasure Island Chicken, Apricot Rice, Green Beans

FRIDAY: Cookout with friends -- I am bringing a hearty pasta salad called Antipasto Salad that we really like

SATURDAY: Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Vidalia Onion Blossoms

SUNDAY: BLT Bow Tie Pasta Salad, Italian Sweet Bread

If you would like to see menus which others have shared, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie and check out the links. Usually close to 200 people share links to their weekly menus. You'll find some great ideas and often recipes too.

Favorite Ingredients Friday for May 2

For Favorite Ingredients Friday today, the theme was “Greatest Hits.” Since I don’t need to come up with a new recipe, I can do this! I just had a hard time deciding which previously posted recipe to use.

I decided it has to be the Blueberry French Toast, because I recently had a dear friend email me from Panama asking for the recipe. I had served it to her and her husband one time when they were visiting here, but the recipe had somehow found its way out of her recipe box -- much to her dismay, since she wanted to make the French toast for company. In Panama, she uses pineapple instead of blueberries. We have found that it is also very delicious using raspberries instead of blueberries. I use the frozen ones. It just seems to me that a recipe so well loved and used, and so well-traveled, deserves the “Greatest Hits” label. So here it is:

BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST

12 slices day-old white bread, crusts removed, cut in 1” cubes
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, cut in 1/2” cubes
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
12 eggs
2 cups milk
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (raspberries work well, too)
1 Tablespoon butter

Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 13X9X2" baking dish. Top
with all of the cream cheese cubes. Top with blueberries and remaining
bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and syrup; mix
well. Pour over bread mixture. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or
overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover
with foil and bake at 350° for 30 minutes; then uncover and bake 25 - 30 minutes more or until golden brown and the center is set.
For sauce:
In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; add water. Bring to a boil
over medium heat; boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in
blueberries; reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until berries
have burst. Stir in butter until melted. To serve, cut the French
toast into squares; serve with blueberry sauce ladled over each portion.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This is a wonderful breakfast or brunch dish for company! If you want to make a smaller amount, you can cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 9-inch square dish.

To see what others have shared for Favorite Ingredients Friday, head on over to Overwhelmed with Joy and check out the links.